CHALLENGE - 14 Craft Projects in 2014

[BloominNora]

I thought it may be a good idea to have a challenge of 14 craft projects in 2014 - anyone care to join?

The challenge is simple - list 14 projects that you want to complete in 2014 and use this thread to talk about progress / issues / share finished results. Projects can be anything - small, large, WIPs that you've had hanging round for ages, any type of craft.

I'll set a sister thread up in Arts and craft pictures for finished projects.

[MadeOfStarDust]

1. make up cushion cover kit I got for Christmas
2. finish bracelet - got some lovely beads
3. design necklace
4. make necklace

1. make beaded ribbon bookmark
2. make beaded metal bookmark - see if either can be done cheaply enough to raise funds at school...

1. Make up quilt squares from sew and stitch as I get the magazine (got to square 4 - many more to go...)

1. Button art heart picture
2. Button Art R for DD1

10. Button art H for DD2

11. create pattern for a beaded bauble - commercial one's not quite what I want..
12. make the bauble
13. finish Bucilla felt "Noel" hanging
14. make card for MIL for Christmas..

These are on the go at various times - not going to be sequential...

[Gullygirl]

Retro,I daren't list all my UFOs.
It would be more like 50 projects for 2014 (blush).

[RetroHippy]

I know. Even digging out my current projects knitting bags (I have many!) threw up two things I'd totally forgotten about! Still, hopefully they can be used for one or two of the 14.

If people didn't keep having babies I'd have a lot less to do!

[JellyCurls]

Not joining as got too many WIP to think about or admit

1-14 finish all in progress before making a new list, got lots of ideas from here though

Daisy I have a set of round looms. Very easy to use but need thick wool, not worked out what to make with my looms though so will be putting them on eBay I think

[daisychicken]

BloominNora they are bikini style in bright cotton fabrics and fancy elastic - was surprised at how well the first pair fitted. I have 2 patterns and one does bigger pants than the other - I prefer the smaller less granny style ones!! The elastic was actually v easy to do as you sew with zigzag stitch and stretch the elastic as you sew and the elastic remains visible as fancy rather than plain elastic in a casing.

JellyCurls I've seen the round looms used for sock making amongst other ideas (look on pinterest) but if you do decide to sell, could you give me a heads up? I'm tempted to buy some!

[TheNunsOfGavarone]

I'm in, thanks for starting the thread, BloomingNora

I have several WIPs so here they are along with some other things I want to do... not always in order of priority!

1. Finish sewing up baby booties and mitts for cousin's new baby, and send them to her before baby grows out of them!
   
2. Block (my first attempt) or stitch garter border to the scarf which I battily knitted in stocking stitch. Apart from being naturally, very curly, it is a gorgeous creation of soft silk and mohair knitted with two strands, one pink and one orange. I want to give it to my lovely Stepmother for her 80th birthday in March.
   
3. Learn the basics of crochet, which so far have always defeated me
   
4. Unravel half-knitted toddler cardigan and re-knit with thicker wool as it doesn't seem cosy at all. Otherwise re-knit on slightly smaller needles for cousin's new baby.
   
5. Knit a hat in the round for little toddler cousin - first project on circular needles!
   
6. Finish two quite uncomplicated but pretty garter stitch mohair scarves
   
7. Make some catnip mice for cat sanctuary's market stall
   
8. Sew up my new wrist-warmers
   
9. Knit star-fish to decorate a hat already knitted for yet another toddler cousin!
   
10. Finish cat blanket
    12)
    13)
    

[ThePigOfHappiness]

Ooh great idea! I've so many things I want to do

1. Make a crochet blanket for dd1
2. Make a crochet blanket for dd2
3. Make a ripple blanket
4. Make a traditional granny square blanket
5. Do lots more woolly hugs
6. Rip out the skirt I crocheted and use the lovely wool god something else
7. Crochet a jumper for myself
8. Learn to sew and buy sewing machine
9. Knit something more than a square. Ideally a jumper but maybe start teddy sized!

10. Organise craft swap again
11. Make lots more Christmas decorations
12. Bunting for mantelpiece
13. Start handmade Xmas presents before December!
14. Use up as much of my stash as I can (despite new wool shop having opened near me ??)

[focuson]

Morning here is remainder of my list (made progress on 1 &2) these wew quick projects

1. Crochet hook holder for friend.. Done
2. Cushion for my corner... Done
3. Commission for 8 cushion pads
4. Quilt and finish ds African inspired quilt
5. Make at least 50 appliqué cards to sell for charity.. Design and plan
6. Learn how to hand dye fabric
7. Learn and make fabric lampshade for my sewing corner
8. Make tula pink 100 block quilt in year (my major project)
9. Make big batch 50 appliqué gift tags design and plan

10 complete monthly craft project from seamstar (showed my mum from other post and she is treating me) - received first goodies on Friday and am nearly finished infinity scarf- now need to plan what to to with other bits
11 cushion presents for all nieces and nephews . X 5 -
12 like pig of happiness start Christmas presents before dec but this may be unlikely given list above

[focuson]

Still 13 and 14 to plan but will add them in when inspired

[BloominNora]

Lot's of lovely lists here

How is everyone's projects progressing? We've got some lovely finished project pictures on the Picture Thread already (C'mon MNHQ - when are we going to be able to post pictures directly on the A&C board like in chat and S&B - so much easier than a seperate board)

My lovely DH has taken the girls to my mom and dads for the afternoon, so I am about to get the sewing machine out for a lovely afternoon of uninterrupted sewing - I may have something to show later.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Oh, can I join? I really need to get through some of my UFOs and "planned" projects so I can declutter my craft room a bit.

1. Finish Margaret Sherry Cross Stitch picture for friend (just got to finish backstitch
2. Finish Music Cross Stitch for ex-music teacher
3. Decopatch Giraffe's for DS' room
4. Make Quilt for DS
5. Make Draught Excluder
6. Make Fabric Highchair Adapter thingy
7. Finish scrapbook of our Honeymoon
8. Create Memory Picture of DS' naming day
9. Make Toy Elephant for DS

10. Make organiser for caravan
11. Make 2 Christmas bandanas for the dogs in time for next year's Christmas party. They were the only ones not dressed up and I felt negligent.
12. Decorate wooden heart frames and hang up in porch
13. Make name plate for DS' door
14. Make draw-string bag for DS' nursery things.

I also want to work on my two big projects - a Lavender and Lace Angel I've been cross stitching for my friend's 40th birthday (was meant to be her 30th, but that was 6 years ago and it's still not done!), and our wedding album.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Oh dear, have a killed the thread? Or

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Oops, phone issue there! Should continue..

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Argh! Will try later

[awaywego1]

Ooh can I join too. I love seeing what everyone is crafting.
I've had a lot of time on my hands these past couple of weeks as I'm off work sick so have already made quite a lot of progress but this will slow down when I'm back at work next week. I learnt to crochet last year and am thoroughly addicted...

1. Crochet Mary Jane slippers for friend (done)
2. crochet ripple stripe baby blanket (done but a lot smaller than I had anticipated..hopefully it'll still be useable)

3.sew cushion covers Ã? 3 (2 done)

1. Large ripple blanket in blues and greens...wool arrived yesterday and I did one row...it's going to take a long time!

4.Crocheted snood for myself..done but I might add some ribbon.

1. Crochet shrug/Cardigan..have the wool but need to find a pattern that looks easy enough and be brave enough to start.

6 A baby crochet blanket
7 A crochet rug made from an old duvet
8 Embellish a Cardigan with crochet flowers
9 Paint picture frames and get them up on wall
10 Make a summer top from nice material
11 Experiment with making some cards.
12 crochet some socks
13 Paint and cover an old lamp
14 Make dp a crochet hat as he lost the last one after one wear

Aside from this I want to sort through and tidy my sewing/craft/wool stuff to make it more useable and less messy and I want to try and use up stuff I already have rather than buying more.

[daddy4creativity]

I feel all my projects are so outdated too! At least my children are much better than me but I rarely get a chance to see their art - does anybody know a site where your children can upload their art so I can see their work regularly?

[Lmother290]

I have been wondering the exact same thing for a while now. It would be so great to be able to have a chance to see pieces of my child's work.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Hi away - at least my insane posts have attracted some attention! I don't know what's happened to everybody else - either I killed the thread or they're too busy crafting to come and post!

I'd love to be able to crochet - I've tried to learn 3 times and failed dismally each time! My mum is really good though.

I've nearly finished number 1 (cross stitched cats picture for friend) - hoping to get it done in time for next Wednesday, when she's coming over for dinner.

[daisychicken]

I'm here! I've done some journal pages and working on another 2 for this week plus I've treated myself to a knitting loom and book! I've had a play with e-wrap cast om and basic knit stitch but that's all so far.

I've never got the knack of crocheting either... plus it hurts my hands when I do try, I'd love to do Attic24's ripple blanket!

[fudgesmummy]

I finished a patchwork cushion using all kath kidson fabric over Christmas that I have been working on since september! My dh bought me a sewing machine and by the end of boxing day I had made 2 little patchwork cushions again out of kath kidson fabric (can you see a theme here!!!!!)

Following another thread I have signed up for the craft club on //www.seamstar.co.uk where you get sent a craft project every month in a kit containing all the bits you need so that will take up a lot of my list!!!!

Other than that I'm planning-

1-a patchwork cushion for a birthday present in march for one of the children I mind

2-a patchwork bag and purse as a little present for the sister of the baby dh and are going to be godparents to in June so she doesn't feel left out

3- a book bean bag for my mums birthday in April so she can read in bed wth out having to hold the book

4-some of the soft toy animals from the pattern that is coming in next months sewing magazine

5-bunting for my dining room

I will post again when I think of any more.........!!!

[RueDeWakening]

Ooh lovely idea, can I muscle in? :o

1. Make the Swoon patterns Dottie bag (partly cut out already)
2. Make a matching Swoon Dorothy bag
3. Make something (anything!) from my Ottobre Kids pattern magazine
4. Make DD the ruffle capris and A-line top from The Cottage Mama's book
5. Make some Buttercup Bags (Made by Rae)
6. Draft, grade, test & release my first PDF pattern for sale (for a BF top)
7. Make quilt for DS2
8. Make pirate curtains for DS1 & DS2 bedroom
9. Make table tent for DS1's birthday

10. Make DS2 & DNiece a Stuffy (done DS2's)
11. Make at least one item of clothing for DS1
12. Make at least one item of clothing for DS2
13. Knit DH a hat
14.

Need to think of a last project yet :o

[HectorVector]

Ooohhh I'd like join... Most of mine relate to starting to make some of my own clothes - patterns arrived today!!!

1. Make a 3/4 sleeve top
2. Make an A line skirt
3. Make a dress
4. Finish the 3 unfinished crossstitches sat in my sewing basket
5. Learn to crochet
6. Make my niece a cushion
7. Make my DS a Darth Vader apron
8. Knit a lovely red scarf ready for Autumn
9. Make some bunting

10. Make some Christmas decorations
11.
12.
13.
14.

I'll be lucky if I do the 10 on the list let alone do 14. But here's hoping!

[fudgesmummy]

I've just spent the evening cutting out and tacking together the patchwork bag will sew together on Saturday

[ThePigOfHappiness]

I have started the ripple blanket. It's massive. Double bed sized massive. I might be done by the end of the year...

[BloominNora]

I ended spending a happy 6 hours or so sewing on Sunday. I have managed to put together all of the patches for my brothers blanket - they don't all align perfectly as the patches have varying degress of stretchyness and it is the first 'big' project I have done, but it looks fab (even if I do say so myself).

I am hoping to get the wadding this weekend and finish it off.

I also had a go at making an oilcloth bag, but despite using one or two tricks I'd read about it still kept getting snagged, so I have purchased a teflon foot, roller foot and walking foot for my machine so I will see if any of those make a difference this weekend.

I am using the 'test' bag I made to keep my WIPs in